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Photo radar curbs speeding, says transport safety committee

Text:

ctvmontreal.ca
Published Wednesday, November 16, 2011 4:44PM EST

QUEBEC CITY - A National Assembly committee into transport safety has given the green light for more photo radar in Quebec.

A 2009 pilot project that saw 15 cameras deployed in high speed zones and on traffic lights around the province has been deemed a success by the partisan committee, with a drop in infractions in the targeted areas.

The commission's report found photo radar led to a near 68 per cent reduction in speeding – on average 10 kilometres per hour -- and an 80 per cent drop in infractions for targeted areas.

"Every time you have that message, that reminds you that eventually people will start slowing down themselves -- and that's been proven," said MNA Charlotte L'Ecuyer of the Committee on Transport and the Environment.

At red lights, however, the radars were deemed ineffective.

"If I know that there is going to be a camera at a crossroad where there's a red light and I can't go through a yellow light anymore, what do you think I'm going to do? Take another road," said L'Ecuyer.

The commission still argues photo radars' impact on reducing speeding is undeniable. It is therefore recommending the widespread use of photo radar be considered in areas like tunnels and bridges that are accident prone or too dangerous for police officers to monitor.

"(These are) places where there was accident where the police cannot be. We don't want to see our police force disappear," said L'Ecuyer.

Transport minister Pierre Moreau agrees.

"The police officers are doing their job and the photo radar is one more tool to make sure that we will reach a public safety record that is best than ever," he said.

Transport Quebec will study the commission's findings and decide if and how radar technology will be deployed throughout the province.

Photos

This low-tech-looking photo radar was the star in a pilot project by the Quebec government to get drivers to slow down.(Feb. 23, 2009)